I wouldn't recommend a multi-ingredient salve over other popular single ingredient choices, such as mother's own milk.  :)

I'm also a beekeeper.

I've read some conflicting things about the presence of clostridium botulinum in wax.  The temperature needed to melt beeswax (before adding other salve ingredients) kills the toxin, should spores be present.  Chemical exposure is another interesting question...

Considering the ways in which bees work to create honey and wax, and the intricate relationship between wax walls and honey, I would not introduce either raw to the mouth of an infant under one year.  In my mind, everything bees touch and create is interconnected.  And breathtaking.

Susan Johnson MFA, IBCLC
Salt Lake City, Utah USA

______________

Date:    Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:14:41 -0500
From:    Laura Spitzfaden <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Beeswax in salve: Safe for nursling?

I've
 been meaning to ask this for a while.  I have a favorite healing salve 
that contains beeswax.  It occurred to me recently that the beeswax 
might be of concern just like honey is, due to botulism.  I looked 
around and other popular nipple ointments have beeswax.  I also found 
one article on the subject that claims that beeswax is not a botulism 
risk but the article seemed like an opinion piece rather than evidence 
based.

I would really like to be able to recommend this salve to moms and I am hoping someone knows for sure about beeswax.

Laura Spitzfaden LLLL, IBCLC

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